State unemployment rate rises to 5.8 in November

NASHVILLE, Tenn. Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. ? Tennessee’s unemployment rate rose in November to 5.8 percent, according to the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

The rate is up from 5.6 percent in October and is more than the national unemployment rate of 5 percent for November, said Commissioner James Neeley in a news release.

The largest job growth was in the retail trade industry, which grew by 5,000. Government employment increased by 1,800 jobs and food and drink service jobs increased by 1,400.

Month-to-month seasonal decreases occurred in the arts, entertainment and recreation industry, which was down by 1,600 jobs. Construction declined by 1,000 jobs and manufacturing dropped by 200 jobs.